Field emission properties of N2 and Ar plasma-treated multi-wall carbon nanotubes

We modify multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by plasma treatment with N-2 and Ar for varying durations and measure their field emission characteristics. The N-2 treated MWCNTs showed significant improvement in field emission properties, while the Ar treated MWCNTs displayed poorer field emission characteristics compared to untreated MWCNTs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and work function measurements are used to investigate the field emission mechanisms after plasma treatments. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.